Next opponents on the road to Les Bleues: the Nationalelf and its eight European titles. To win a ticket for the final of Euro 2022, at Wembley, the Habs will have to get rid of solid Germans, Wednesday July 27 (at 9 p.m.). The players of Martina Voss-Tecklenburg have had a flawless run since the start of the competition, beating Denmark, Spain, Finland and then Austria in the quarter-finals.
In Milton Keynes, Alexandra Popp and her teammates hear return to the top of the bill after several disappointing years. Here’s what you need to know about Germany before this second semi-final of the Euro.
This is the most successful selection in the history of the Euro
With eight titles in 12 editions, Germany is the most decorated nation in history (1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013). Long favorites of the different editions of the tournament, the Nationalelf has been going through a transition period for five years.
The selection has suffered since its early elimination at Euro 2017. Yet crowned Olympic champion a year earlier, Germany were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Denmark (1-2), ending a series of six consecutive titles. Rebelote in 2019, during the World Cup, where the Germans again stumbled in the quarters, this time against Sweden. However, they remain ranked third in the FIFA world rankings.
Undefeated against France in international competition
Lhe Germans are the pet peeves of the Habs. In four official matches, Les Bleues have always been beaten, including once on penalties in the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup. Since then, the two selections have not crossed swords at the Euro or at the last World Cup.
The two teams have nevertheless met in a friendly match three times since 2018. And it is no longer the same music. Les Bleues won twice. Their last confrontation to date, in June 2021, turned to the advantage of the players of Corinne Deacon (1-0). “We know France have huge quality in transition and fantastic players with a lot of speed.“, explained the German coach, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, according to the UEFA website.
“We will give everything we have on Wednesday. I think Les Bleues also respect us after our performance (in the quarter-finals). From that point of view, it will be a game of equals.”
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, Germany coachon the UEFA website
It remains to be seen whether the Habs will be able to stay the course in the semi-finals of the Euro, one of those great meetings that their opponents know how to manage. The Germans have indeed won the last six semi-finals they have played.
A formidable attack and an impervious defense
The Germans have the second attack of the competition with 11 goals, behind the English (16). The tricolor defense will have to keep an eye out the captain German, Alexandra Popp. With a goal scored in every game, the Wolfsburg legend has already found the net four times.
7 – Germany have scored in the first half in each of their last 7 EURO matches, the longest streak in the competition’s history. Surgical. #WEURO2022 #GERAUT pic.twitter.com/MaC9GySnTC
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) July 21, 2022
In 2013, the year of the last German coronation in Europe, Popp was forced to forfeit, before the start of the Euro, to treat an ankle injury. At 31, she is more motivated than ever to get her first European title with his selection.
The Nationalelf also shines in this Euro thanks to a very solid defense. After four games, the German cages remain clean. The players were however subjected to the offensive fire of the Spaniards, and to the repeated assaults of the Austrians (2-0). Germany is also, so far, the team that has won the most duels (55) and recovered the most balls (187).
Generational change
Only three players present during the coronation in 2013 are still in the squad: Almuth Schult, Svenja Huth and Sara Däbritz. Experienced midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan is injured. In addition, the selection only includes 2016 Olympic champions (Kathrin-Julia Hendrich, Almuth Schult, Svenja Huth, Alexandra Popp and Sara Däbritz).
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The Nationalelf which will challenge France on Wednesday has given a chance to a promising new generation. Germany has won the Under-17 Euros in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
In the end, Martina Voss–Tecklenburg, a former midfielder and four-time European champion, has established a subtle mix. She can count on the jailhouse Svenja Huth, 31, who scored twice against France in a friendly match, in Biefeld, in 2017, or on Lina Magull, in the shape of her life at 27 and still a scorer against Austria. But there is also the young midfielder Lena Oberdorf, 20, formidable in duels.
Only black point: Germany will evolve without the revelation of the Euro, Klara Bühl. The latter tested positive on Tuesday for Covid-19.